What is conjunctivitis?
The conjunctiva is a mucus membrane that covers the undersides of the eyelids and also the sclera, which is the outside part of the eye that looks white. It does not cover the cornea, which is the clear, center part of the eye through which we see.
When the conjunctiva gets red and irritated, the condition is known as conjunctivitis. "Pink eye" is a type of conjunctivitis that many people experience.
Conjunctivitis can be present in just one eye or it can affect both eyes at the same time. Most cases of conjunctivitis are easily cured.
The conjunctiva also covers the undersides of the eyelids and also the sclera, which is the outside part of the eye that looks white or yellow. It does not cover the cornea, which is the clear, center part of the eye through which we see.
Why do people get conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis is usually caused by an infection or allergy that makes the conjunctiva red. Sometimes the eye also itches or feels like there is sand or dirt in it, even when nothing is really there.
It is important to tell your doctor exactly how your eye feels to help the doctor decide whether it is an infection or an allergy that is causing your conjunctivitis.
How does the doctor know whether someone has conjunctivitis?
He or she may notice some things during the examination or the patient may mention symptoms that could be caused by conjunctivitis. These include:
- Redness of the eyes or the edges of the eyelids.
- Swelling of the eyelids.
- Overflowing tears.
- Thick discharge.
- Sticky eyelids.
- Crusty eyelids (especially after sleeping).
- Itching or feeling of sand in the eye.
How is conjunctivitis treated?
Only a doctor can recommend the right treatment for someone with conjunctivitis. But everyone who has conjunctivitis should follow one simple rule: don't touch or rub your eyes!
There are different treatments for conjunctivitis, depending on how bad it is and whether it is caused by allergy or infection.
What is the treatment for allergic conjunctivitis
There are different kinds of allergies that can cause conjunctivitis. Chemicals in soaps, medicines, makeup, or other products that get into the eye can cause some allergies. The conjunctivitis may go away if these products are not used, or if they are kept away from the eye.
Other allergies are caused by pets, plants, or other things that send small particles into the air. The doctor may suggest a special way to wash the eye or may recommend using eye drops. These could be eye drops called "artificial tears," which keep the eye clean and wet. The doctor might also decide to prescribe eye drops with medication. Different medicines are used for different kinds of allergies.
What is the treatment for infectious conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis caused by an infection can be dangerous in two ways. First, the person with the infection can lose some of their vision. This could be for a short time, or it could be permanent. Second, the infection can spread. People with "pink eye" often get conjunctivitis germs on their hands by rubbing their eyes, then leave the germs on the objects they touch.
Someone who has infectious conjunctivitis should not do things that could spread the germs, such as sharing wash cloths and towels or swimming in a public pool.
The same viruses that cause colds can also cause infectious conjunctivitis, but other kinds of viruses and bacteria can also cause it. Infectious conjunctivitis is treated by keeping the eye (and hands) clean and using the right kind of eye drops. Your doctor will explain how to clean the eye and will also prescribe the right eye drops for the kind of infection causing the conjunctivitis.
It is very important to use the eye drops correctly. Your doctor or someone on his or her staff will explain how to put in the eye drops, how many times to use them every day, and how many days to use them. Even if the eye starts to look healthy again, keep using the eye drops for as many days as recommended. Infectious conjunctivitis can come back.
Are there any other causes of conjunctivitis?
One kind of conjunctivitis happens in a few people who wear contact lenses or who have stitches in their eyes. Giant papillary conjunctivitis makes the underside of the eyelids very irritated and swollen. If you are diagnosed with this type of conjunctivitis, the doctor may recommend a different kind of contact lens, a different way to clean the contact lenses, or not wearing contact lenses for some time.
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